“Chris and Yoshiyuki both have knockout power in both hands, which makes this a very exciting qualifier at 170 lbs,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “They’re fighting for one of the spots in our $100,000 welterweight tournament, so fans can expect both of them to put it all on the line.”

Entering the fight with a perfect 5-0 record, Lozano has ended every fight by TKO or KO. “The Assassin” is fresh off of a TKO victory of UFC veteran Jason Dent. The Cleveland native takes pride in his accomplishments, but also knows how quickly things can change.

“Any fighter who steps into the cage doesn’t want to lose,” said Lozano. “With that said, all it takes is one tiny mistake, one split second mental error, and you’ve lost. I want to maintain my undefeated record, but if I don’t, I will return hungrier and more passionate than before.”

However, Lozano is not focused on the prospect of losing, rather of going straight to the top.

“Being a Bellator Champion means you are one of the best in the world at what you do,” said Lozano. “It means you are elite. It is a dream to be champion for an organization like Bellator.”

For Yoshida, the chance to take on a fighter like Lozano is something the Japanese born fighter relishes.

“Lozano seems like a real good striker,” said Yoshida. “I have trained very hard for this fight, and I not only expect to win, but also provide a great fight for my fans.”